ID, prevention, and first aid tips. Objective To be able to identify and avoid the hazards associated with poisonous plants, animals, reptiles, and insects

ID, prevention, and first aid tips

Objective

• To be able to identify and avoid the hazards associated with poisonous plants, animals, reptiles, and insects in Georgia and know how to administer first aid when necessary.

SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Poison Ivy and Poison Oak

• Woody, rope-like vine, trailing shrub on the ground, or free-standing shrub

• Normally, three leaflets, but may vary from groups of three to nine

• “Leaves of Three, Let it Be”

• Leaves are green in the summer and red in the fall


Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy and Poison Oak• Oil can remain active for

months

• Mostly in moist, deciduous forest and wooded areas

• Also on trees, fences, and ornamental plants

• All parts of plant are toxic year ‘round

• More dangerous in spring and summer


Poison Oak

Poison Sumac

• Small tree or large shrub with large attractive leaves and white fruits

• Large alternate leaves usually with 9-13 entire (not toothed) leaflets and a red stem

• Leaflets are smooth and may be shiny


Poison Sumac

Poison Sumac

• Fall color is brilliant, ranging from bright yellow to deep purple

• Typically found along forest edges and maintained right-of-ways

• Prefer full sun areas that have limited competition


Poison Sumac

Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac

• Prevention

• Learn to recognize the plants

• May look different depending on the area where you live and the season

• Remove the plants from the area, wearing vinyl gloves

• If unable to remove, wear heavy clothing, long sleeves and long pants



• Prevention

• If often exposed, get a product to remove the plant oil (urushiol) from your skin

• Tecnu or Zanfel

• Barrier creams/lotions can prevent urushiol from contacting the skin or reduce the severity of a reaction

• Vary in their potency, not always effectiveSAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association and W.S.

Pharr & Co.


• Take immediate action

• If you have been exposed and are aware of it, you should:

• Use generous amounts of isopropyl alcohol to cleanse skin before poison can attach itself

• Wash skin with water



• Take immediate action

• If you have been exposed and are aware of it, you should:

• Shower with soap and water

• NOTE: Do not use soap and water before cleansing with alcohol because it can spread the poison around the skin’s surface

• Clothes, shoes and tools should be washed with alcohol and water (be sure to wear gloves during this process)



• The rash

• Redness and swelling appear in 12-48 hours, followed by blisters/itching

• Blisters are not contagious and do not spread the rash

• Do not scratch: fingernails carry germs that could infect the area

• Rash, blisters, itch normally disappear in 14-20 days without treatment



• Treatment

• Mild cases of itching: wet compress or soak in cool water

• Moderate itching: oral antihistamines or topical hydrocortisone

• Severe reactions: treat with prescription oral corticosteroids, which must be taken for at least 14 days, preferably over a three-week period



• When to seek medical attention

• If rash covers more than 25% of the body

• If having allergic reactions such as swelling and/or difficulty breathing

• If having severe cough or itching that cannot be controlled



• When to seek medical attention

• If rash affects the face, lips, eyes or genitalia

• If the rash shows signs of infection

• Pus or a yellow fluid leaking from the blisters, odor or increased tenderness



Preventing dog bites

• Know the properties where dogs are present

• Ask the homeowners to either chain their dogs or leave them in the house



• Know the signs of when a dog might attack

• Is the dog showing teeth?

• Are the ears flat back against their head?

• If so, it might mean the dog is frightened or ready to attack




• If a dog is wagging his tail, does that mean he will not attack? Not necessarily.

• If the tail is standing straight up and stiffly wagging, the dog is suspicious and may bite

• If the tail is tucked between its legs, the dog is scared and may bite




• What is the dog’s body posture?

• If leaning toward you, the dog is dominant

• If leaning away from you, the dog is submissive

• Is the hair along the dog’s back standing up?

• If so, stay away because the dog may attack



• Never approach a dog that is chained, fenced in, sleeping or guarding its pups



• If approached by a dog who may attack:

• Resist the impulse to scream and run away

• Remain motionless, hands at your sides, and avoid eye contact with the dog

• Once the dog loses interest in you, slowly back away until he is out of sight



• If approached by a dog who may attack:

• If the dog does attack, "feed" him your jacket, purse, bicycle, or anything you can put between yourself and the dog

• If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your ears and remain motionless

• Try not to scream or roll around

•


Preventing snake bits

• Some bites, such as those inflicted when you accidentally step on a snake in the woods, are nearly impossible to prevent

• Precautions can reduce your chances of being bitten by a snake



• Leave snakes alone

• Many people are bitten because they try to kill a snake or get too close

• Stay out of tall grass unless wearing thick leather boots

• Remain on paths if possible



• Keep hands and feet out of areas you cannot see

• Do not pick up rocks or firewood unless you are out of a snake's striking distance

• Be cautious and alert when hand pruning shrubs


If someone is bitten

• Remember the color and shape of the snake

• Can help with treatment of the bite

• Keep the bitten person still and calm

• Slows the spread of venom if present

• Dial 911 or call emergency services (EMS)


Preventing spider bites

• Black Widow spider

• Female is more dangerous

• Shiny, black and has a round abdomen with two yellow or red triangles that form an hourglass shape



• Black Widow spider

• Webs are loose, irregular and resemble a mesh-type material

• Webs can be found on plants, within loose stone or wood piles and inside irrigation valve boxes


Black Widow bites

• Feels similar to a pinprick, if felt at all

• Two faint red spots surrounded by local swelling

• Within 1–3 hours, pain will intensify and may continue up to 48 hours


Black Widow bites

• Venom affects the victim’s nervous system

• Severe, rigid abdominal cramping similar to appendicitis

• Weakness, and tremor

• In severe cases, nausea, vomiting, faintness, dizziness, chest pain and respiratory difficulties may result



• Brown Recluse spider

• Violin pattern on back

• Base of the violin at the head of the spider, neck of the violin pointing to the rear

• Small, non-hairy, yellowish-tan to dark brown with darker legs

• With legs, about 1 inch in length



• Brown Recluse spider

• They have six eyes

• They seek out dark, warm, dry environments

• Porches, basements, woodpiles, old tires, underneath rocks and trash

• Webs are irregular and three dimensional


Brown Recluse bites

• Most bites occur during the summer

• Bite may or may not be felt

• Venom is extremely poisonous

• More potent than a rattlesnake


Brown Recluse bites

• Enzymes in venom causes destruction of local cell membranes

• Disrupts skin tissues leading to breakdown of skin, fat, blood vessels and tissue death

• Within 1-3 hours, the area becomes painful and swollen


Brown Recluse bites

• Rare secondary effects of the venom

• Destruction of red blood cells

• Low platelet count

• Blood clots in capillaries and loss of ability to form clots

• Acute renal failure (kidney damage)

• Coma

• Death



• Wash area well with soap and water

• Apply ice pack wrapped in a cloth, or a cold, wet washcloth

• To protect against infection, apply an antibiotic lotion or cream

• Administer acetaminophen for pain



• Seek immediate emergency care for further treatment

• Prompt treatment is essential to avoid more serious complications

Review

• How do you ID poison ivy, sumac and oak?

• What are the signs that a dog might attack?

• What are the possible locations where snakes might hide?

• Where might you find a Black Widow or Brown Recluse spider?

• What procedures do you follow when bitten by a dog, snake or spider?


Documents

ID, prevention, and first aid tips. Objective To be able to identify and avoid the hazards associated with poisonous plants, animals, reptiles, and insects